The king has approved distribution of full-time work allowance and overtime benefits to health workers during the period of higher studies within the Kingdom on the basis of certain conditions. The king approved the establishment of an academic chair in his name at the University of Mexico.

Omar Abdul Aziz Al-Saif will be supervisor of the King Abdullah Chair. The king also endorsed agreements signed between Saudi and foreign universities for strengthening their cooperation. “King Abdullah has approved the establishment of a new agency at Madinah Islamic University for international cooperation and knowledge exchange and another agency at King Faisal University in Dammam for female students affairs,” the minister said.

Meanwhile, the Higher Education Ministry said government universities would provide 349,186 seats for new admissions this academic year, including 174,560 for women, a seven-percent increase from last year. “Only 8.2 percent of the seats have been filled so far, while 91.8 percent of the seats remain vacant.”